I have a Baxi Solo Innova and think it is the business. I would advise against any log boiler that pushes the gasses out with a front mounted fan rather than sucking them out as the innova does with a fan mounted at the bottom of the chimney.

We've just finished fitting an Atmos boiler and it's excellent - very easy to light, heats up the accumulator tanks pretty fast and provides huge amounts of hot water and heating. I'd recommend it. The only thing is whether dealing with the logs becomes a bit tedious but we've got a local supplier who delivers one tonne bags and will cut to size, so we've just sorting out how to store it in a way that doesn't involve moving it around too much.

What kind of money are we talking about for the Atmos boilers? Had a look at the web site and they look really good, but no prices...

We have in the end decided to not go down the Log Boiler Route. For about the same money I can install a 4m2 solar hot water system (bought from LILI) with 259 litres triple coil tank, install a reasonable efficient woodstove with backboiler linked to this tank that will also heat about 50% of our house and replace our current oil tank and oil boiler with a condensing boiler and better controls . As I am regularly away for work this means that my wife who also works full time, does not have to fill the wood boiler everyday while looking after two children as well. But if we do light the stove in the living room this will contribute to heatig and hot water in the winter when the solar system is least effective. At some point I wil also install a second woodstove in the front part of our house which already has chimneys that will be partially rebuild next year.

We don't reallly have space for a log boiler and heat store in our house and I would have to build am outbuilding which with my preffered boiler and connection to the house was getting closer and closer to the 15K mark, while current plans are closer to the 8-10K.

There are a number of atmos boiler supliers in the UK have a look on ebay as well.

Sorry for delay

Posted By: edwinvanekDo you have the boiler with or without the Lambda Control. They are are now available through Foundation Firewood but cost about £2000 more? Is it easy to adjust the combustion by colour and size of flame?

My boiler does not have Lamda control and the environment is not likely to benefit from such a device as it throttles the burn and will cause more toxins to be released.

An issue that has arisen is that my boiler has begun to easily overheat and shut down until the temperature falls off a bit which strikes me as bit dangerous. I think it is because I have perfected the art of wood drying and it is now too dry for the boiler but I'm going to call up the supplier for advice before I light up this winter.

I have heard rumour that most high efficiency wood boilers are designed for wood with a moisture content of about 20-25%

I do have a laddomat21 so I just realise the sillyness of my comment. DOH.

Hi all.

I have been researching these log boilers for a while now. I am on a budget so looking at Atmos, Vigas and Baxi. All of which are basic and robust and each has some negative stories attached (Baxi - problems with fuel size/overheating, Atmos - one installer returned to all the ones he fitted to repair [dont know specifics] and Vigas had a wall crack and the technical support from the imorter is limited). We have 11 acres of oak (which Baxi suggest not using all time due to high acid content?) so the less efficient machines without Lambda dont appeal and I run a small holding so am at home to light whenever. What seems to be solving the choice is getting a certified installer to come up with a price/system. Its been a nightmare. Early estimates look to be in the 7k region for a 25kW 1000l accum. system. We will do the dog work (shed building, hole in wall drilling etc), get a local plumber to install and get a certified installer to design with the plumber and commision to get grant. With the grant (£1500), plus the use of a new credit card offering 5% back for first three months and the local plumber saving travel costs it should be cheap enough. Admittedly 7k in high interest account would go a long way to paying for oil, but the wood burning is a lifestyle thing, I wont mind it going on a lot more often whereas I hate hearing the combi firing up!

I enquired about the minium required chimney heights and was informed that the Atmos needed about 7 meters and the baxi about 3? It is worth keeping this in mind when looking to install in a shed.

On the flue front I understand that it depends on the situation (prevailing winds, obstacles etc) and the best way is to take advice, put it up and add an extra piece if you dont get an updraught.

I am on the cornish/devon border and would be very interested in visiting any logboiler fitted to talk through the pros and cons and different set ups. I think each installer has his way of doing things and it being a fairly new thing over here they are all a bit different and I lack confidence in them. I need a simple set up as it will soley do one 3 bed building for hot water and heating, replacing an oil combi.

Keith, the moisture content of wood shouldnt have any effect as the first stage of burning removes this, the gasification burn (which is the hot one -several hundred degrees) simply ignites gases and wont be effected by wood water content. I would imagine that your set up is wrong (ie too small an accumulator, it not needing more heat, or some of your thermostats/setting are wrong). This is where I have a lack of faith in the installers of these things in the UK. Off to see a solar/log combination on tues which sounds sensible for those summer days.

Large volumes of steam if produced during combustion force too much heat and combustion products up the flue so fast that the heat is lost before the heat can be collected= inefficient.

I agree sounds like too many sytems spoil the broth.

The dryer wood definately makes a difference fills my accumulator in 3 hrs took 6 in my first nyeeve year of not properley seasoned wood!!

Have an Atmos 32kw burner installed with 2000ltr Akvaterm accumulator, was just wandering is there anyone else using the heat exchanger coil inside the accumulator to transfer the hot water into their home? Everyone I talk to seems to be using the actual water contained in the accumulator tank to circulate around their homes and stay away from plumbing up to the heat exchanger coil. Just wandering has anyone ever had the system installed this way and then changed it or can give any advice please?

Don't actually use the water going round the pipes Johan. The heat is exchanged from the 2000ltr accumulator to the exchanger coil at the top which is piped to my house were the hot water is split to the radiators and the hot tank cylinder which also has a coil inside so no actual pipped water is in domestic use. When I had the system installed the way it was fitted is the actual recommended instulation method. I think the system is great and within 2/3 hours buring time the tank is approx. 90degrees top to bottom but I do find the radiators coming into the winter time could be a bit warmer.

Its good to hear a few people with experience of ATMOS boilers. I am mid way through installing a 15kw ATMOS twin boiler (combined Log Gasification and Pellet boiler) - so I can have the low cost of Logs and relative convienience of teh pellets. I bought the Boiler direct from ATMOS in CZ - who speak perfect English and could not have been more helpful - Plus the unit was hugely cheaper than anyone else I received quotes from in the UK or Germany. Go to ATMOS.CZ for info.
I have not finished the installation yet - so can't comment on performance - but it looks well made and subscribes to the keep it simple principle.

A couple of questions for those of you with a working ATMOS in place:

How tall is your chimney/flue from Ground to top of pot? I have 5m at the moment (180mm dia liner) - but could extend the stack and put a pot on to gain a meter or so.

I will run my system with a pressurised expansion vessel - where is the best place to plumb this into: on the cold side of the boiler inbetween the Laddomat and the boiler or into return from the heating circuit to the accumulator?

Thanks in advance